More driving modes and the ability to charge the battery while idling or on the move. These are just some of the benefits that a new Fisker Karma hack is bringing to the luxury plug-in hybrid.
Posts by PowerSource on the Fisker Buzz forums point to an aftermarket control module which can be plugged into the Karma to add driving modes.
In "EV" mode, the battery is depleted, "Stealth" holds the battery charge at any preset state of charge (SOC) and "ER" which charges the battery to 90-percent capacity using the internal combustion engine.
Additionally, the "Sport" mode is reprogrammed to drain the battery down to 60 percent. PowerSource said this can be tuned to drop all the way to 15 percent.
When it left Fisker showrooms back in 2012, GreenCarReports said, "the Karma included efficiency-focused 'Stealth' and performance-oriented 'Sport Modes,' plus a 'Hill' feature that dials up regenerative braking, to take advantage of steep descents."
The Fisker Karma hack is similar to the modifications being made by some BMW i3 REx US owners to get features enabled in other markets, as Franchise Herald reported previously.
Unlike i3 owners though, Karma owners don't need to worry about voiding their warranty. Fisker went bankrupt in 2013 but is now poised for a comeback after being bought by China's Wanxiang Group. The company is in the process of setting up a factory in Moreno Valley, Calif.
"Another modification detailed on Fisker Buzz removes restrictions on the way the internal combustion engine is used to charge the battery pack," GCR said.
Among the benefits PowerSource claimed are the ability to maintain a high SOC to retain mileage and charging the battery while idling or on the move.
The modifications can be applied to existing Karmas with simple plug-in hardware:
"The enhancement will not modify any of the existing OEM software in the vehicle. Our solution is plug and play hardware that adds functionality," PowerSource said.
Reportedly, the Fisker Karma hack can't be overwritten by the company since it's in the module.
